Virginia Wants to Offer Tax Deduction for Burial in Space

The economy still stinks but Delegate Terry Kilgore is sponsoring a bill to help the citizens of Virginia by offering up to $8,000 in tax incentives for people willing to have their ashes sent into space. Of course, the deal would only kick in if the spaceflight originates from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island.

The proposed bill would allow up to $2,500 in income tax deductions per year, not to exceed a total of $8,000, for commercial space launch services. If it passes, the bill would take effect on January 1, 2013 and sunset in 2021. Also, it would only apply to people residing in Virginia while still alive, so forget about having your place of residence changed after your die.

According to PopSci, the plan is meant to stimulate growth in the private space industry since NASA recently retired the space shuttle program. Personally, I think it’s just another way for the rich to stand out among the ‘normals’ in society because you have to pay to play, and space burials can carry a hefty price tag.